Treating victims of torture and violence : theoretical, cross-cultural, and clinical implications

Torture is among the most disturbing and psychologically devastating of human behaviors. It dehumanizes its victims, leaving them with serious and lasting psychological wounds. Like other psychological trauma, torture frequently leaves in its wake denial and silence among both perpetrators and their victims. This communicative void creates a public and mental block that can make treatment of torture survivors very difficult. Treating Victims of Torture and Violence is the definitive manual for therapists treating victims of torture, prisoners of war, and casualties of forced migration. Divided into five sections dealing with basic concepts of torture--violence and aggression, the torture syndrome, psychotherapeutic treatment, the cultural psychology of torture syndrome, and cultural psychological treatment-- Treating Victims of Torture and Violence employs both classic psychoanalytic and cognitive- behavioral methods. Realizing that torture victims are frequently from different cultures than those of their therapists, Peter Elsass provides in-depth aid to therapists dealing with a multicultural clientele. Treating Victims Of Torture And Violence Is The Definitive Manual For Therapists Treating Victims Of Torture, Prisoners Of War, And Casualties Of Forced Migration. Divided Into Five Sections Dealing With Basic Concepts Of Torture - Violence And Aggression, The Torture Syndrome, Psychotherapeutic Treatment, The Cultural Psychology Of Torture Syndrome, And Cultural Psychological Treatment - Treating Victims Of Torture And Violence Employs Both Classic Psychoanalytic And Cognitive-behavioral Methods. Realizing That Torture Victims Are Frequently From Different Cultures Than Those Of Their Therapists, Elsass Provides In-depth Analysis To Aid Therapists Dealing With A Multicultural Clientele. 1. Torture, Violence, And Aggression: Scientific Difficulties In Containing The Absolute Evil -- 2. The Torture Syndrome: A Diagnostic Description Of The Trauma-provoked Condition And A Psychodynamic Understanding Of The Unbearable-helplessness -- 3. Psychotherapeutic Treatment: The Supportive Attitude And The Combination Of Psychoanalytic And Cognitive Ways Of Thinking -- 4. The Cultural Psychology Of The Torture Syndrome: A Distinction Between What Is Universal And What Is Culture-bound -- 5. Cultural-psychological Treatment: Examples Of Psychotherapy Showing Respect For Foreign Cultures -- 6. Postscript: The Torture Survivor's Perspective: A Follow-up Examination Combining Supervision With Research. Peter Elsass ; Translated By John Andersen And Harald Fuglsang. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 177-195) And Index. Torture is among the most disturbing and psychologically devastating of human behaviors. It dehumanizes its victims, leaving them with serious and lasting psychological wounds. Like other psychological trauma, torture frequently leaves in its wake denial and silence among both perpetrators and their victims. This communicative void creates a public and mental block that can make treatment of torture survivors very difficult.Treating Victims of Torture and Violence is the definitive manual for therapists treating victims of torture, prisoners of war, and casualties of forced migration. Divided into five sections dealing with basic concepts of torture -- violence and aggression, the torture syndrome, psychotherapeutic treatment, the cultural psychology of torture syndrome, and cultural psychological treatment -- Treating Victims of Torture and Violence employs both classic psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioral methods. Realizing that torture victims are frequently from different cultures than those of their therapists, Peter Elsass provides in-depth aid to therapists dealing with a multicultural clientele.